This 1942 ad for a comptometer is just perfect because first of all, I had no idea what a comptometer was (a mechanical calculator, basically) and second, the spec sheet is wonderful: no glare dials, elimination of non-essential zeroes, and a “Keystroke Censor.”
We’ve really come quite a ways in advancing technology. The things the Comptometer was tasked to do can probably be done in 2 seconds now. Learn more about the Comptometer here. [BoingBoing]
IanPerthWA
Monday, February 14, 2011 at 1:01 PMAh ye olde Comptometer. That brings back memories. Comptometrists were highly skilled and valued clerks. Without them our Account Branch wouldn’t have functioned. These were mysterious people who could flick switches, press buttons, bash keys and pull levers. Then magically they would present you with figures which would take days or weeks to compile with pad and pencil. Then the CALCULATOR appeared. Talk about instant redundancy! Ah! Those were the days. Not like today at all.